Sass and Bide Warehouse Sale Brisbane

I'll be brutally honest and tell you this is the only time I buy anything by Sass and Bide. Why pay so much for jeans when you can get them this cheap twice yearly?

Location: RNA Showgrounds, building 7
Dates: Thursday 8th -Sunday 11th.
Times: 12-8:30, 10-5:30, 10-5:30, 10-3.

They will take EFTPOS and credit cards too.

Cute handmade owls by Tickled Pink Events.

OK, I admit it, I am one of those girls who utterly adore owls, and if it didn't make me look like a crazy person I would quite possible have them all over my house. But I'm no Nina Proudman, and only let my owly obsessions out to play occasionally.
Tickled Pink Cards is a stationery company that ties in with Tickled Pink Events, a wedding and occasion planning company. I had the pleasure of meeting Natalie at the Young Designers Markets last week and she is lovely.
What drew me to her stall were of course these gorgeous handmade owls she was selling, I wanted to take them all home with me. Have a look at these and tell you you don't want one of them to pop on your couch or to sit with your books.

 

Owl obsession now sated for the time being ...

Tickled Pink Designs are stocked all around Brisbane, Please visit her site to read more information and find out where you can buy her wares!

MBFF Graduate show tonight!

So I may be a little excited. And so one of my best friends may be showing her clothes in a competition parade tonight ... I'm totally stoked! Had nothing to wear as I thought all my good frocks were still packed away but hanging in my closet was a black satin and lace beacon of hope! Thank god. I'm shocked I didn't realize earlier. Handbag is full to the brim with make up so I can run to the show straight from work.
So my tip? Buy a dress that you love, even if you can't think of when you'll wear it. I have found that the day will pop up (five somewhat unexpected weddings in a year anyone? Yes, it happened to me.)
Even if you outgrow it in anyway. Chances are it'll sell for a good price on eBay.
I believe tickets are still on sale for tonights shows. I really do recommend these in particular. Tickets can be bought and picked up at ticketek, and they have an office in QPAC, two minutes walk from the tent!

30 days of Fashion and Beauty 2011: Brisbane Events

In previous years we have been a little forgotten during the 30 days of (insert something here) events, during the health and fitness there wasn't a damn thing in Brisbane at all! In comparison to Melbourne, let alone Sydney. Le sigh. So to try and get some more attendance so hopefully there will be more events, here is the list of things that will be happening in and around Brisbane this September.
My first recommendation is to sign up to the emailing list, it makes registering for events as simple as a few clicks and will keep you up to date on what's happening.

Thursday September 1:
Priceline will be running two events in collaboration with Madison, the first held at 12:30, and another at 6:00, both are titled Runway to Realway, and will teach you some tricks for making the makeup trends for this season wearable. These two events will be located at Priceline in Robina down the coast.

Thursday September 8:
GeorgeGrossHarryWho VIP Spring/Summer2011 Collection Launch will be held in Brisbane, tickets must be bought for this event that will include canapes and drinks, and will be held at midday at The Emporium Hotel, 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley.

Friday September 9:
Priceline in collaboration with Woman's Day Magazine will be running an instant makeover workshop at Priceline Queens Street Mall in the evening at 12:30 and 6:00, They will be going on how to update your look.


Saturday September 10:
If you're willing to go on a drive down the coast, there will be the AMP Capital Shopping Centres - Madison mile Fashion and Health Workshop run at Pacific Fair, Broadbeach. Madison Magazines Fashions peeps will be there advising on how to put together the trends coming in fashion. Session is scheduled for 11:30, and looks like a good one to go to. Events is free but there is a $20 goodie bag to be purchase for charity if interested.

Wednesday September 14:
Priceline and Cosmo will be presenting a workshop called Red Carpet, At the Queen Street Mall. perfect for anyone who will be attending any glamorous events. Workshop will occur at 12:30
Also happening today down in Robina is Pandora's Romantic Rock Runway show down at Robina Town Centre. It will be on at 11:30.

Thursday September 15:
Pandora will be presenting at Robin Town Centre again, same details as the day before.
GeorgeGrossHarryWho VIP Spring/Summer2011 Collection Launch will be happening at David Jones Queens Plaza but for free this time, reservations are required. Midday.
Priceline and the Australian's Women's Weekly Will be holding Instant Glamour workshops at Robina. Times will be 12:30 and 6:00.

Friday September 16:
Priceline and Cleo will be holding an After Dark workshop today at Centro Toombul, to perfect your evening look. Be there for 12:30.
Pandora will yet again be presenting at Robin Town Centre again, same details as the days before.

Saturday September 17:
After three days of parades, Pandora  will be holding Styling Sessions on how to work the latest looks. 11:30 at Robina Town Centre.

Sunday September 18:
Prestige to High-Street with Commonwealth Bank, will be held at Robina Town Centre today at 1:00, I believe it will be a runway show or presentation, the description isn't very clear.
Pandora will being running styling sessions again, same details as the previous day.

Monday September 19:
Pandora will be launching its new collection in Brisbane, the description is telling us to keep an eye out for new details, but it will be free with champagne and canapes. Totally there lol. 6:00-9:00 PM.

Thursday September 22:
Another Free to attend GeorgeGrossHarryWho VIP Spring/Summer2011 Collection Launch will be held down at David Jones, Robina Town Centre today at 11:00, with free canapes and refreshments.

And that brings us to a close of the activities in Brisbane, Let me know if you guys know of any unofficial things going on that I can share with everyone.

Free things to do during MBFF

Well I sort of got too busy in the last few days to put this up as early as I plan, and for that I am sorry. Even with EKKA Wednesday off!
So MBFF has started for 2011! The opening ball was last night, and the only way for a lot of underlings to attend is to be a slave volunteer. You can actually see a lot of shows and such for free, here's my quick guide:

All days: 
I'm pretty sure The Fashion Bar is available during the late afternoons and evenings all days, You can find it this year at Cascade court, QPAC. It looks like it opens at 4:00 PM most days, and 4:45 on Sunday. If you are meeting up with friends for a show this is generally a good place to meet.

Saturday
The Young Designer Markets are going to be up and running today, near the regular Southbank Lifestyle Markets. 12 pm - 10 pm.
There is also something called Wintergarden Indulgence, you can find it at The Fashion Bar, Cascade Court QPAC at 4:PM.

Sunday:
Though not strictly free, to get up close you'll need a ticket. The Swimwear Parade is out in the open at the Streets beach, and unless they've erected a tent there today you can still get a good view if you camp out, possibly at the cafes up top there? Be warned though, this is one of the most popular events.
Young Designer Markets will also be running today at 10 am - 5 pm.

Monday:
On Monday the free shows in the Queens Street Mall will start up. The City Fashion Flash has taken a new formula this year, as 'flash' fashionistas will be 'struting' the mall, I'm guessing they will still have a base in the usual amphitheatre spot. I like this concept but it'll be hard to spot them all won't it? but this way more people will get the chance to have a good look won't they? Find them at 12:PM

Tuesday:
Fashion Flash on in the Queen Street Mall at 12:00PM
The Emerging Designer & Fashion Graduates Celebration will be on at The Fashion Bar from 9:00 PM onwards.
QUT will be holding a Fashion After Hours event today as well it will be a panel discussing "Industry & Autonomy: what is sustainable fashion?" featuring the following guests.
Tess Curran, Assistant Editor, Peppermint Magazine,
Paula Dunlop, PhD, Independent Practitioner and co-founder, The Stitchery Collective, Alice Payne, PhD Candidate, QUT,  
Samantha Hardman, Fashion Designer, Bento,  
Joshua Jones, Jean Brown.
I would personally just go for the exclusive Pop up vintage market afterwards run by The Best Little Vintage Van in Vegas.
It will be held at 8.30pm / Auditorium 1, Level 2 State Library of Queensland, South Bank.
Though they say tickets can be booked online, I'm willing to bet you can just show up and get in if the crowd isn't big, just to be sure though, there is a Ticketek office just across the way at QPAC to ensure to get in.

Wednesday: 
The City Fashion flash will be running again at its regular time.
QUT: Fashion after hours will be holding another Panel, this time discussing 'Brisbane Women in Fashion': Clothing, Community (that sounds v. poorly punctuated to me ...) I think I'll be heading along to this one. Panelists include:
Lydia Pearson & Pamela Easton, Easton Pearson,  
Kath Horton, Discipline Leader, Fashion QUT and Co-founder, The Stitchery Collective, Thea Basilou, Blonde Venus,
Faiza El-Higzi, The Romero Centre.
It will be held the same as the previous one: 8.30pm / Auditorium 1, Level 2 State Library of Queensland, South Bank.

Thursday:
Only two events are on today and both of them are free!
The City Fashion Flash is on, as per usual, but there is also the Dreaming of Chanel Launch Event. This is an exhibition of some of the amazing clothes in the Darnell Collection of vintage clothing, Charlotte Smith is a lovely lady and I went to her book signing last year for Dreaming of Dior. I'd recommend going to check out this exhibition while you can, nothing can teach us more about a subject then the past.
The event will be held at 6.00pm / QUT Art Museum, 2 George St, QUT Gardens Point Campus.

Friday:
The City Fashion Flash! Of course! lol.
The Dreaming of Chanel Exhibition will be running until the 16th of October for anyone who cannot make it to the opening event. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 12pm-4pm

Embellished Knitwear by Jacqueline Claire

Jacqueline Claire specialises in hand sewn and painted knitwear such as tank tops and cardigans, every design is unique. Sick of seeing the same thing in every store she decided to start her own company that creates original one off designs.
Founded in 2004, she is also more then willing to make custom pieces for clients who request them.
What I love about her deisgns are the whimsy girly feel they have to them, I would have bought almost everything in the store money permitting. They have that touch of vintage feel that you get with one off creations that makes me smile.

Ugh, I hate my lack of photography skills sometimes.

Find out more information at her facebook page.

Ellery Sample Sale Brisbane

Christ, finding info for this event is like hunting a needle in a haystack. Here is what I've found:
Location: James street cottage, 67 James street Fortitude Valley
Dates: Friday August 5th, until Sunday August 7.
I'm not clear on hours, as my usual places to find such info are having a shitfit.

Bargain Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Black Drama Mascara!

Hey guys, just wanted to tell you all that during my mundane grocery shopping last night I spotted a great bargain. At my local Woolworths in Carindale, they were selling the new falsies mascara for $10! I'll be checking the catalogue and the woolies at McArthur Central to make sure it wasn't a one off.

Edit: Sorry everyone, it's looking like it was either a one off or the last day for it yesterday. My trip to McArthur Central was fruitless, and I can only find an ad for 20% off all cosmetics in this week's catalogue. It may still be available at Carindale, check near the freezer aisle if you're in the area!

Young Designers Market

Hmm, let me see, something to do next Sunday? Well there is this.
Want the clothing industry in Brisbane to grow?
The best way to do this is to support our fledgling designers, and they can be a little hard to find.
The first Sunday of every month the Young Designers Markets set up shop near the regular Southbank Markets on Little Stanley Street (mmm, churros).
Starting of with humble beginings, and occuring once every three months, the markets have grown in demand to occur on the first Sunday of every month, with stacks of returning and new stalls.
One  to look out for -that everyone says to look for- is the MSIT students stall. The TAFE fund this stall for the students to peddle their wares and make some money while they're slogging it out in their fashion courses. Check it out, and support a hard working and most probably poor student.
I'll be checking it out to see what's new and to pick up a few things to tell you about!

Westfield Carindale Remodelling

Ooooh, I've been waiting for some fresh news on this one, it's my local mall!

Artist impression

Westfield has just released a new stack of info on the new project. In short:
New Coles (boring)
Larger Target (sort of interesting)
120 new stores! (Eep! where will they fit them all?)

I heard a rumour while shopping the other week that one of the new stores will be a Sass and Bide flagship store!

Take the virtual tour they've put online.

Looking very spiffy, the fresh food emporium reminds me a lot of Chadstone in Melbourne, but I love the indoor/outdoor Millennium Square that will replace the former Town Square. I wonder if they'll update the carpet of the entire complex too?

Cannot. Fricken. Wait! Imagine the opening night and sales that will go on!

Brisbane Vintage Fashion and Decor Fairs

Last time I went to one of these it was located in Westend and it was epic. Time has just escaped from me and it looks like they've expanded!
Brisbane Vintage Fashion and Decor Fairs are going to have their next event on the 29th and 30th of October, at the Eaglefarm Race Course, (Just a quick walk from the train station) and even if you aren't a buyer it's well worth a look just to see. I love going to these places to get one of a kind items that you just can't find in stores nowadays, 40's suits with their gorgeous shape, 70's suede skirts, and vintage clothing patterns by the barrel load, and at great prices too.
Depending on the stall holder the prices can be awesome or a bit OTT. I have in the past snaffled a vintage Oroton glomesh bag for $20 (still in its box and with a tag stating that it was 70 odd dollars back when it was bought!), numerous dresses that only required a little altering to be worn today (shortening sleeves and hemlines are something even a novice can do), and the patterns, gorgeous Jackie O suits, 70's caftans, and great Vogue designer stuff. Admittedly I haven't touched some of them, but they're great collectibles.
A lot of the stalls are run by vintage clothing stores throughout Brisbane and surrounds, so you can get a feel for their wares and then visit them when the fair isn't on.
I'm really interested in checking out some of the decor as this looks like a new addition to the stalls, Perhaps I'll find something to jazz up my then new house. (Yup, you guessed it, I'm going to be moving house AGAIN in another two months.)
Also another draw card is that everyone is so nice, Very few shops around have such warm and welcoming staff who are dying to tell you about their favourite and latest find, and they really know what they're talking about, they have collected and sold vintage for years and it really shows in their knowledge.
I'd recommend signing up for their mailing list as the markets are kind of sporadic from what I can remember, and it's a good prompt to remind you when they're coming up soon. Until then, I'll find some other events to tell you about!

MBFF is coming!

As a relic of my former life as a fashion student it would be strange ... nay, impossible to not mention the upcoming Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival.
In fact it was three years ago that I first rocked up in my black volunteer's shirt and sidled up to Kristy Hinze for a quick hello, and promptly got grumbled at by organisers and told to get back in the backroom and help stuff grab bags.
Although I saw it as little more then forced volunteerism at the time, required to pass a unit of TAFE, I can now look back at my experience and giggle. I told Rosemary Masic, the designer of Nevenka that she was not allowed in to her own show without a ticket. (Of course I had no idea who she was before she told me, whoops!), scored stacks of free loot after the shows, and got to see almost a dozen shows for free. Amazing.
Dates for the festival this year fall the week after Ekka Wednesday, Saturday 20th through until Friday 26th. I'm really looking forward to Tuesday's shows, the Australian Fashion Graduate of the Year Award Show should be fantastic, I make sure not to miss it each year, to hear some familiar names is a great feeling, and the garments are breathtaking.

Another huge point I want to make is that this is one of the best opportunities to go and check out the Brisbane fashion industry, and to support them! After the Grad show there is an emerging designer show that is also on my list to do. Can't wait!

Tickets are available Here. Snap up the shows you want before they sell out.

Chanel in Brisbane CBD? Sweet!

While on a very important trip to go and get Pepsi for the office tuck shop, I spotted this:

I'm amazed I didn't spot this last week, anyone know any details?  When it's opening? I'll take a stab and say probably during MBFF.

Let me know if you know anything!